Last updated at 16:05, Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Outcast defender Alessio Bugno is unlikely to return to Carlisle United, News & Star Sport understands.

Alessio Bugno

The left-back, who has returned to Italy to consider his future, is set to cut his ties with the club after just four appearances.

Bugno is due to contact the club in the next week to discuss his short-term plans.

And the 22-year-old now looks likely to leave the Blues after just four months.

Bugno has been out of favour since the second game of the season despite signing a two-year contract in July, after impressing in a summer trial spell.

The former Monza player made three starts before being axed in favour of Chris Chantler midway through the 3-0 home defeat to Tranmere on August 21.

Since then he has only managed a brief sub appearance in the FA Cup win against Ebbsfleet last month, with his other appearances confined to the Cumberland Cup and reserve ‘bounce’ games.

Greg Abbott would not confirm that Bugno was definitely on his way out of the club but, when asked about the possibility of the Italian leaving, the manager said: “He may do.

“If he’s not happy and he can’t play at his best level then we have to find a decision that suits him and the club.”

Abbott said he was unclear on how long Bugno had been unhappy with life at Carlisle. “I’ve no idea – he just came to see me and said he was finding life over here difficult, when he was not playing, not involved, and he’s got no family and few friends around him to talk to.

“With the Christmas period coming up it makes you feel like you need home and family more than at other times.

“He has struggled to adapt. He is a long way from home and things haven’t been going great for him. We would think a decision would be made within the next week. He will ring us and let us know.”

Should Bugno depart then it would leave United with Chris Chantler and Matty Robson as the main left-back options on the permanent books.

Loanee Sean McGinty, who is still awaiting his first Blues appearance, can also play in the position while Peter Murphy has often deputised there in the past.

Robson returned to left-back in the home defeat to Sheffield United on Saturday but Abbott may again make changes for this weekend’s trip to Shrewsbury.

First published at 16:04, Tuesday, 11 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk